An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund {YA Historical Fiction Review}

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie prepared herself to become a nun the day she turns eighteen. but a month before her birthday everything changes when a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Soon, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in teh land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the cloister is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

In this historical romance novella by Jody Hedlund, young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?

Then Rosemarie is summoned back to her castle in haste. The disease has spread, and her family is threatened. And the secret she discovers when she returns could change her future forever.

My Thoughts

Like most girls I enjoy a good fairy tale. I like the story of princesses and castles, knights in shining armor swooping in to save the day, and of course the happily-ever-after endings. I just can't resist being swept up in the romance of it all for a few hours.

I've been a fan of Jody Hedlund's historical fiction so when she released her first young adult historical fiction I just had to give it a try. It was everything that I had envisioned and more. The beautiful princess Rosemarie has lost her parents to the Plague but she is fortunate to have what she thinks is trustworthy mentors to guide her in ruling her lands.

By the time we enter the story Rosemarie has come to terms with devoting herself to living out the rest of her life at the convent. But this is a fairy-tale so we have to have some dashing knights to woo the beautiful princess. Not one but three of the bravest and handsomest knights in the land come to Montfort Castle with the intention of winning the hand of Rosemarie.

The story that proceeds is one of intrigue and romance. What appears to be the truth is a far cry from it. I enjoyed the journey through the unfolding story. I had inklings of what was happening out of eyesight but it didn't ruin the story at all, in fact it enhanced it.

I would highly recommend this wonderful book to teens and older. There is nothing untoward in it but it does have subject matter that would be better understood by someone in their teens rather than younger. Remember that this is set in the Medieval period so torture was a very accepted form of punishment. Some of that is described in the story. As an adult I found it to be a great read. It moves along quickly and the vocabulary is rich. If you liked the current version of Cinderella that is playing in theaters I think you will be drawn to this as well. I'm looking forward to the future books in this series.